"Then I shouted, "Off with your head!" and the Jabberwocky's head tumbled down the old staircase to stop in front of the White Queen, Mirana of Marmoreal. The Red Queen was taken to the Outlands with Stain, the Hatter performed his famous Flutterwacken, and I drank the Jabberwocky's blood to come home and decline the Ascott's stuffy marriage proposal." 

"Grammy! How did you meet Pappy?"

"He was the first gentleman of Japan to treat me with respect as a female ambassador from England. Hakuto came to work for me and we later married. When we had your father Alec, Hakuto was killed in a vicious storm. Threw him right over the edge of the Wonder, dying at sea. I raised your father on the Wonder just like you Alec. He had fun being apart of the Wonder's crew, and grew up happily as my sailmaker, repairing the Wonder's sails whenever the ripped.

When he was twenty years old, he met your mother. I was invited to the Emperors birthday party in China, and brought Asahi with me. Your father was excited for his first royal party. I had specially made him a poet's blouse from the lightest shade of blue I could find and the nicest pair of trousers. He wore a dark blue vest gifted to him by an acquaintance in Hong Kong. 

While at the party, Asahi mingled quite nicely with the Chinese Royalty and Nobility. We were separated for most of our stay there, a total of ten days to get the Wonder all stocked up to sail back to London. When we finally reunited on the ninth day, he had requested that we go to the palace. When there, Asahi and the Emperor's youngest daughter asked both mine and the Emperor's permission to wed. 

This was a big decision. I had to prolong my departure for an additional three days for discussions with the Emperor.  Neither of us were against the marriage, but with Asahi working and living on the Wonder, either he bought a house on land, lived in the palace, or she would have to become accustomed to living and working aboard the Wonder. 

I quite liked your mother. She reminded me a bit of myself when I was in my twenties. Headstrong, resilient, hardworking, compassionate, etc. When she declared she would live and work aboard the Wonder, I was thrilled, as was the Emperor. Their wedding was big and beautiful, your Great Auntie Margaret and her children even hitched a ride on a vessel to attend. not even a year later, my sweet little upelkuchen was born."

"That's me!" 

"Yes it is sweetheart. You looked so much like me as a baby, so your parents named you Alec; the closest male version of my name possible. Your parents decided to take a late honeymoon trip, so I took you while the bought two ticket to be aboard Lord and Lady Ascotts vessel. Unfortunately, the shiphands on that vessel were as incompetent as your old schoolyard bullies. The ship hit a particular nasty storm, and everyone who was aboard, whether it be a shiphand, Nobility, or animal; they all drowned at sea."

"I'm sorry Grammy."

"Whatever for Alec?"

"Maybe if I wasn't born, Mommy and Daddy would still be here."

"Nonsense! There will be none of that now. You were barely a year old. True if they had not gone on that vessel, they would've lived, but just because they did does not make that your fault. Do you understand baby?"

"Yes Grammy!"

"Good, I think I have a present box around here somewhere? Help Grammy look?"

"Okay!"

The chubby four year scampered through the Captain's Quarters. A dark green box with a bright orange ribbon was found under the desk. Alec raised the box over in head shouting in victory.

"Grammy I found it!"

"Wonderful! Bring it over here and open it."

The box was carefully opened next to his grandmother's feet. A pearly white poet's blouse, a captain's hat small enough for his head, and a dark blue vest lay in the box. With how the small child reacted, you might've thought he was gifted priceless jewels or artifacts.

"Go try it on love."

"Okay Grammy!"

The small boy ran behind a folding screen with the box. When he reemerged, he was the cutest little Captain anyone aboard the Wonder had ever seen. He ran around the deck, helping clean or having a sword fight with brooms with whomever was brave enough to challenge the small captain.

"Captain, are you still going forward with your decision?"

"I am. Alec still needs to have proper schooling. I done the same for his father. The Wonder shall not set sail until Alec is able to sail on his own. Besides, I'm worried for him."

Alec ran next to the shipwright into the mast. He shook it off to continue running and having fun.

"His eyesight is getting worse. I'll have to get him glasses before I even think about sailing the Wonder again."

Alice's first mate nodded and gave her a little bow. 

"I am more than happy to be a positive male role model in young Alec's life, for as long as you'll have me Captain."

"Thank you Francis. That would be marvelous. Alec, sweetie, come here for moment."

"Okay Grammy!"

The small boy ran over, almost falling on his face. Francis quickly prevented the nasty fall, placing him on his feet. 

"Sweetie, I'm going to purchase a home on land. Since your going to live there too, you get to pick our new home."

"Is the Wonder alright?"

"No, my upelkuchen. It's time for you to attend school."

"Did Daddy go to school on land?"

"Yes, he did. He was a smart boy at your age too."

"Then...then I will go to school and be smarter than Daddy!"

"Terrific! Should we look for a house then?"

"No! We should get a harbour and live on the Wonder!"

"What a smart little pumpkin you are. Alright We shall shop for a harbour tomorrow."

<~<~>~>

"Well Grammy, I hope you liked the harbour."

Twelve years had come and gone. The Wonder, now old, decrepit, and rotted, was sold to Ascotts. Alice Kingsleigh passed in her sleep at the ripe age of ninety-four. Aside from a small assortment of dresses set to China and Japan to Alec's cousins and Aunts, he was left everything. 

However, Alice told him specifically to sell the Wonder to the Ascott family. Alec was reluctant, but did as his late Grammy wished. He had his clothes, Alice's jewelry, and an old rusted key packed into a lumpy duffle. Alec was most curious over the key. He seen his Grammy with this key may times over his childhood. And yet, whenever he asked her what the key unlocked, she always had the same cryptic answer. 

"This key opens the door to Wonderland my sweet Upelkuchen."

Alec like the stories his Grammy told to him when his was child, but that's what they were. Stories. Works of fiction that she crafted to entertain a excitable child at sea. Nevertheless, Alec had the the old, tiny key tied to a string around his neck. 

Like his Grammy always told him, he was the spitting image of Alice in her early years. Full, wild, blonde hair. Big, bright, blue eyes full of curiosity and questions. Sickly pale skin, even when healthy. 

Now that Alec was sixteen, his blonde hair was braided down his back. He almost always wore a light blue tailcoat, a dark blue captain's hat, knee high light blue boots. He kept a very specific blue color scheme with his clothing. Except for his shirt he wore a crisp white poet's blouse.

<~>

Alec made his way to the Ascott estate. The Lady of the House, Carla Ascott, had invited him for tea. The two used to be great friends, but a life at sea does not typically leave room for relationships on land. Carla had a similar personality to Alec, but they differed greatly. 

While Alec love to research and explore place with great thought and immense caution; Carla threw herself into adventure. She once ran into a pitch black cave on the beach without thinking about consequences. Alec was quiet, reserved. He came across as a scared timid boy to most, but he was observant. Carla was loud, expressive. She was quick to trust, but also quick to anger. Despite their clashing personalities, they got along swimmingly. Day and night, people often described them.

Alec walked through the main gate only to sidestep a very near human body collision. 

"Ally! You're finally here!"

"Hello Carla. Long time no see."

"I had one of the maids set up a tea party in the garden."

"Let's go then."

As the two young adults walked toward the gold colored gazebo, they reminisced on what adventures they had in the last twelve years. 

"Ally, you didn't!"

"Oh but I did, my dear Carly. That crab had no idea what hit it."

The two cackled at Alec's latest adventure. 

"It's good to have you back in London, Alec."

"I guess it's good to be back. Is your Grandfather still pressuring you to get married?"

"Yup. I swear the only thing keeping that old codger alive is spite."

"I guess. Have a girlfriend yet?"

"You have a boyfriend yet?"

"Touche."

"You must let me do your hair! It's been much too long!"

"Fine, just don't tie my hair up into knots."

Alec sat on the ground while Carla sat behind him, not caring if her bright pink and yellow dress got dirty. After Alec's pretty blonde hair was brushed out and pink roses were weaved in, they both heard a slight tapping. Like something tapping against metal and glass. 

"Alec, what's that?"

Looking up, he saw what she was pointing at. A white rabbit, in a dapper blue and white waistcoat, a stylish blue fedora hat with a big white plume of a feather, and a shining gold pocket watch. After making eye contact, the creature ran through the bushes. 

"Let's follow it!"

"Carla, no wait!"

Having his wrist snatched up, he was forced to run after his best friend as she chased after the peculiar white rabbit. Alec collapsed to his knees as Carla skidded to a stop outside a rabbit's hole next to an old tree. 

"Carla, this is starting to remind me of Grammy's stories of Wonderland. We shouldn't go down there."

"But that's why we should go down there! This world is so boring and won't accept us no matter what. Tell you what. We'll go back to the estate, get some snacks, clothes, and whatever else before we go down there. And we ARE going down there. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Capeesh?"

"Fine. You have a point anyway. Besides what do we have to lose. If it is just a story Grammy told us, than nothing lost."

"Right! Let's go!"

Already forgetting the plan to gather supplies, Carla grabbed his poor wrist again, and jumped down the rabbit hole.

Vote, comment, and have a fantabulous day 💖💖😊😊 
1856 words 
Enjoy 

To clear up any confusion, this is solely based off the 2010 Time Burton Alice in Wonderland. I always liked this version more anyway. 

The beautiful cover is made by yours truly. If you like it, go check  out my other book, "Book Covers" and view other covers I made in case you would like one.